Hot metal tank car

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for holding and transporting a hot metal mixer tank in a metallurgical plant includes a platform car having wheels for running over a trackway and a support at each end for removably engaging a large hot metal mixer. The hot metal mixer tank is supported on axle or tilt axle mounted at each end of the carriage. Each pivot axle includes at least two arms which carry bearing shells on each side of the associated end of the mixing tank. The mixing tank carries transversely extending horizontal position pins which extend outwardly from each side and rest in the open top bearing shells. The tops of the shells may be closed by pivotal cover plates which are bolted in position when closed. The supporting pivot axles on the track car also carry upper and lower rigid extensions having adjustable back pressure bolt members which may be threaded inwardly or outwardly in order to provide a longitudinal bearing pressure against the end surface of the mixing tank when the latter is oriented in position on the bearing journals and the side bearing pins are locked in the open shell supports.

United States Patent [72] Inventors Werner Marxen Duisburg; Werner Trost, Duisburg-Wanheimerort, both of Germany [21] Appl. No. 753,686 [22] Filed Aug. 19, 1968 [45] Patented Sept. 28, 1971 [73] Assignee Demag AG Duisburg, Germany [32] Priority Oct. 19, 1967 [33] Germany [31 1 D 54385 [54] HOT METAL TANK CAR 8 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 105/270, 105/271, 105/360, 105/367 [51] lnt.Cl 861d 5/04, B61d 9/02, B61d 9/08 [50] Field of Search 105/264, 265, 266, 267, 270, 271 358, 360, 367

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,151,391 3/1939 Pugh 105/270 Primary ExaminerArthur L. La Point Assistant Examiner-Howard Beltran Attorney-McGlew and Toren ABSTRACT: An apparatus for holding and transporting a hot metal mixer tank in a metallurgical plant includes a platform .car having wheels for running over a traekway and a support at each end for removably engaging a large hot metal mixer. The hot metal mixer tank is supported on axle or tilt axle mounted at each end of the carriage. Each pivot axle includes at least two arms which carry bearing shells on each side of the associated end of the mixing tank. The mixing tank carries transversely extending horizontal position pins which extend outwardly from each side and rest in the open top bearing shells. The tops of the shells may be closed by pivotal cover plates which are bolted in position when closed. The supporting pivot axles on the track car also carry upper and lower rigid extensions having adjustable back pressure bolt members which may be threaded inwardly or outwardly in order to provide a longitudinal bearing pressure against the end surface of the mixing tank when the latter is oriented in position on the bearing journals and the side bearing pins are locked in the open shell supports.

PATENTED SEP28 IHYI 150 50 1 sum 1 or 3 Inventors wen/v52 maxuv wseuen nos-r A T TORNE Y5 PATENIED SEP28 I9" SHEET 2 [1F 3 lnventois weave: mmxm wemee raosr Wkju J M ATTORAEYS PATENTEDSEPZBIHYI 1608.501

SHEET 3 BF 3 Inventors WEE/J62 mnxsv wee/v52 mosr HOT METAL TANK CAR SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to the construction of accessory equipment for metallurgical plants and, in particular, to a new and useful hot metal mixing car construction which includes an undercarriage or track car having longitudinally spaced bearing supports which carry longitudinally extending pivot pins which engage and support respective ends of a metal mixer tank.

Metal mixer cars are required for shipping liquid iron from the blast furnace to the foundry. The lining of such cars must be renewed at intervals of two or three months, for example. This may require a downtime of abouttwo weeks, that is 20-25 percent of the operating time. If the pig iron mixing tank to be lined is thus separated from the undercarriage in any easy manner, the undercarriage can be provided with a freshly lined pig iron tank and put back into operation.

Attempts to use detachable connections between the pig,

iron tanks and the under carriages have been made, for example a simple flange joint has been suggested. Such a construction has the disadvantage that the flange warps to a different extent at different temperature levels so that the reassembly becomes difficult. In addition, alignment of the screw bores of very small tolerances of the parts weighing about 80 tons presents considerable difficulties. In some instances, stirrupshaped supports are provided to bear on the undercarriage,

but such an additional stirrup increases the cost considerably.

As the capacity of the pig iron tanks iiicreased, they were given an oblong form because the height and width were limited by the track profile. Such pig iron tanks terminate in their front and rear ends in pivots and pins which extend longitudinally outwardly and are received in bearing shells of the, various types of undercarriages. Since such pivot pins are provided with gearing and they are rotated by a tilting mechanism, a rapid detachment of the pig iron tank from the undercarriage is not possible. In addition, the detachment is. rendered difficult because it is necessary to first remove some eludes an extending portion with side arms defining open topped receiving shells and each end of the mixing tank is provided with at least two transverse steadying pins which rest on the receiving shell at each side of the centerline of the pivot pin. In addition, back pressure is exerted against each end of the tank by providing symmetrically arranged threaded pin members which may be adjustably positioned to exert a uniform back pressure against each end of the tank to steady it in the carrying position. The adjustable pins which exert the back pressure are located in upper and lower symmetrical extensions of the pivot pin extending portions the pins may act along the longitudinal centerline of the pig iron tank.

With the construction of the invention the symmetrical bearing faces transmit the vertical normal forces which occur in the filling and driving position of the pig iron tank and the back pressure surfaces prevent canting of the pivot with its bearing because of the load. The bearing faces which support the transverse pin members are crowned by easily accessible pivotal closing covers.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the ends of the mixing tanks are provided with holding or positioning pins which extend both transversely and upwardly and downwardly. The upper and lower pins provide back pressure surfaces and lifting screws for centering the tank and for facilitating the removal of the tank, respectively. Each of the pins rests in a shell carried by the pivot axles which is provided with a horizontal opening which may be capped and closed by easily removable cover members. With such a construction, the connection can be established and detached without requiring the lifting of the pig iron tank. The arrangement is such that the carriage can be moved in the longitudinal direction toward the mixing tank and engage the positioning pins at the end of the tank with the bearing surfaces defined on arm portions of the pivot axle, and the final anchoring in position may be accomplished by applying the covers over the positioning pins and bearing surfaces.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus for holding and transporting a large hot metal mixing tank which is supported on appropriately spaced pivot axles rotatably mounted on the undercarriage or car, and wherein positioning pins extend transversely from each end of the tank and are received in open-topped support sheels carried by the pivot axles and which may be easily capped after initial positioning of the pins, and wherein a back pressure acting in a longitudinal direction is applied by adjustable securing bolts on the pivot axles to align the tank on the undercarriage.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for securing a mixing tank to an undercarriage which includes means for supporting at least horizontal positioning pins and preferably also vertical positioning pins in receiving bearing shells which are opened in a horizontal direction.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mounting device for mounting a mixing tank on an undercarriage which includes bearing supports for end pivot axles for rotatably supporting the tank with side receiving bearing shells on each axle for locating and receiving transverse positioning pins on the tank, and including means for applying a longitudinal pressure for the tank preferably located along the longitudinal axis of the tank.

A further object of the invention is to provide a hot metal mixing car construction and a mounting for a mixing tank which are simple in design, rugged in construction and economical to manufacture.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompany drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the Drawings:

FIG. 1 is a partial side elevational view of a hot metal tank car constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial side elevational view of the bearing support apparatus of the car;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the showing of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 2 of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the showing of FIG. 4, and

FIG. 6 is a section taken along the line 66 of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings in particular, the invention embodied therein in FIGS. 1 through 3 comprises a pig iron tank 1 which is mounted on a pivot axle or tilt axle 2, which, in turn is rotatably supported between two end supports or a supporting structure generally designated 20, 20 (only one of which is shown). The supports 20, 20 are mounted at longitudinally spaced locations on an undercarriage or track car generally designated 22 having wheels 23.

In accordance with the invention, the pig iron tank 1 is Iongitudinally (horizontally) elongated and includes an end portion la having an end face or flat surface 4 at each end (Only one of which is shown) with positioning pins or support elements 3, 3 which are supported on the supporting structure 20. The supporting structure 20 includes a bearing stand at each end of the tank 1 which are locked in position by supporting devices or locking elements 17. Each bearing stand 16 mounts two upright bearing pedestals 24 and 26 which rotatably receive the axle 2.

The axle 2 carries a rearwardly extending portion 28 having a fork configuration with side arms 30 and 32 at respective opposite sides of the tank 1. The side arms 30 and 32 have open shell supports or bearing shells 5, which receive the positioning pins 3, 3 which extend outwardly from each side of the tank 1.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the extending part 28 axle 2 carries two adjustable back pressure screws or bolts 9, 9 which are threaded in the support 28 and which may be adjusted to bear with their rounded ends against the end face 4 of the tank 1.

After the tank 1 is positioned to cause the positioning members 3 to become located within the shells 5, cover members 6 which are pivoted at 7 to the arms 30 and 32, respectively, are swung over the positioning elements 3 and locked in position by securing bolts or l-bolts 8. The eye screw 8 may be swung about a pivotal connection 8a of the arms 30 and 32. The covers 6 are slotted at their ends to receive the l-bolt nut 8b and to permit it to be threaded downwardly on the eye bolt to hold the cover 6 in a locked position. ln order to remove the tank 1, it is simply necessary to relieve the back pressure of the bolt members 9, 9 and to open the cover 6 to lift the tank over the arms 30 and 32.

In accordance with the embodiment indicated in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, there is provided a support 16' which is adapted to be positioned on an undercarriage and which supports at least one bearing pedestal 26' for a rotatable pivot axle or tilt axle 2. In this embodiment, the tilt axle 2 carries a fork member 28' with arms 30 and 32 defining positioning pin supports which open horizontally in the longitudinal direction for receiving respective transverse positioning pins 11, 11 of the hot metal mixing tank 1' (see FIG. 5). The tank 1' also carries additional vertical positioning pins 11', 11' which extend upwardly and downwardly adjacent the end of the mixing tank 1' (see FIG. 4). Each of the pins 11, 11 and 11, 11 engage in curved recesses 34 which are defined in respective vertically opening arms 30 and 32 as well as horizontally opening arms 30 and 32. The curved surfaces 34 are part of bearing shells 12 which open in the longitudinal or horizontal direction. The shells 12 are closed by pivotally mounted bearing covers 13 which pivots on bolts 36 and which are secured together and locked by means of l-bolts 14. The tightening of the nut of the l-bolts 14 causes the corresponding arms l3, 13 to move together and to provide a back pressure against the respective positioning pins 11, l1 and 11, 11'. Tank 1 may be removed in a longitudinal direction after the covers 13 are released. The released or opened positions of the covers for the pins 11, 11 are shown in dotted lines in FIG. 4.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the inventive principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

We claim:

1. A hot metal mixer tank support for metallurgical plants, comprising a mounting base adapted to be located on an undercarriage which is movable, at least one bearing support on said mounting base, a tilt axle member rotatable in said bearing support and having a portion with at least two spacedapart opened-top bearing surfaces, a hot metal mixer tank having at least two position pins extending substantially radially outwardly from an end thereof and generally transversely to the longitudinal axis of said tank and engaged on respective ones of said bearing surfaces, said tank with said pins being liftable off said opened bearing surfaces, and a closure member defining at least one back pressure bearing surface acting on said position pins, said closure member being pivotallymovable between an open position to permit removal of said pins from said bearing surfaces and a closed position to cover and hold said pins for rotational movement of said tank.

2. A hot metal mixer tank support according to claim 1, wherein said position pins are of cylindrical construction and have curved surfaces which bear against correspondingly curved surfaces of said bearing surfaces.

3. A hot metal mixer tank support according to claim 1, wherein said bearing surfaces comprise curved recesses open on one side, said cover member being hingedly connected to said tilt axle portion and being pivotal to close said bearing surfaces.

4. A hot metal mixer tank support according to claim 1, wherein said tilt axle member portion includes at least one threaded screw member threaded therein and being adjustably displaceable longitudinally to bear against an end of said tank.

5. A hot metal mixer tank support for metallurgical plants, comprising a mounting base adapted to be located on an undercarriage which is movable, at least one bearing support on said mounting base, a tilt axle member rotatable in said bearing support and having a portion with at least two spacedapart bearing surfaces, a hot metal mixer tank having at least two position pins extending substantially radially outwardly from an end thereof and generally transversely to the longitudinal axis of said tank and engaged on said bearing surfaces, means defining at least one back pressure bearing surface acting on said tank, all of said bearing surfaces and said back pressure bearing surfaces enclosing the longitudinally extending centerline of said tank, said tilt axle member portion being forked and includes first and second spaced-apart arms, each of said arms having a curved recess forming said bearing surfaces, and a cover pivoted to each of said arms and being movable downwardly to close said bearing surfaces and engage over a positioning pin disposed therein.

6. A hot metal mixer tank support according to claim 5, including an l-bolt pivoted on each of said arms and engageable with said cover for securing said cover in a closed position.

7. A hot metal mixer tank support for metallurgical plants, comprising a mounting base adapted to be located on an undercarriage which is movable, at least one bearing support on said mounting base, a tilt axle member rotatable in said hearing support and having a portion with at least two spacedapart bearing surfaces, a hot metal mixer tank having at least two position pins extending substantially radially outwardly from an end thereof and generally transversely to the longitudinal axis of said tank and engaged on said bearing surfaces, and means defining at least one back pressure bearing surface acting on said tank, all of said bearing surfaces and said back pressure bearing surfaces enclosing the longitudinally extending centerline of said tank, said tilt axle member portion including at least three substantially radially extending arms having surfaces forming said bearing surfaces, said mixing tank having at least three correspondingly oriented position pins extending substantially radially outwardly therefrom and engaged on corresponding ones of said arm bearing surfaces.

8. A hot metal mixer tank support according to claim 7, wherein the bearing surfaces of said arm openings in a horizontal direction and a cover pivotally mounted on each of said arms and adapted to be pivotal to close over a position pin located on said bearing surfaces of said arm. 

1. A hot metal mixer tank support for metallurgical plants, comprising a mounting base adapted to be located on an undercarriage which is movable, at least one bearing support on said mounting base, a tilt axle member rotatable in said bearing support and having a portion with at least two spaced-apart opened-top bearing surfaces, a hot metal mixer tank having at least two position pins extending substantially radially outwardly from an end thereof and generally transversely to the longitudinal axis of said tank and engaged on respective ones of said bearing surfaces, said tank with said pins being liftable off said opened bearing surfaces, and a closure member defining at least one back pressure bearing surface acting on said position pins, said closure member being pivotally movable between an open position to permit removal of said pins from said bearing surfaces and a closed position to cover and hold said pins for rotational movement of said tank.
 2. A hot metal mixer tank support according to claim 1, wherein said position pins are of cylindrical construction and have curved surfaces which bear against correspondingly curved surfaces of said bearing surfaces.
 3. A hot metal mixer tank support according to claim 1, wherein said bearing surfaces comprise curved recesses open on one side, said cover member being hingedly connected to said tilt axle portion and being pivotal to close said bearing surfaces.
 4. A hot metal mixer tank support according to claim 1, wherein said tilt axle member portion includes at least one threaded screw member threaded therein and being adjustably displaceable longitudinally to bear against an end of said tank.
 5. A hot metal mixer tank support for metallurgical plants, comprising a mounting base adapted to be located on an undercarriage which is movable, at least one bearing support on said mounting base, a tilt axle member rotatable in said bearing support and having a portion with at least two spaced-apart bearing surfaces, a hot metal mixer tank having at least two position pins extending substantially radially outwardly from an end thereof and generally transversely to the longitudinal axis of said tank and engaged on said bearing surfaces, means defining at least one back pressure bearing surface acting on said tank, all of said bearing surfaces and said back pressure bearing surfaces enclosing the longitudinally extending centerline of said tank, said tilt axle member portion being forked and includes first and second spaced-apart arms, each of said arms having a curved recess forming said bearing surfaces, and a cover pivoted to each of said arms and being movable downwardly to close said bearing surfaces and engage over a positioning pin disposed therein.
 6. A hot metal mixer tank support according to claim 5, including an I-bolt pivoted on each of said arms and engaGeable with said cover for securing said cover in a closed position.
 7. A hot metal mixer tank support for metallurgical plants, comprising a mounting base adapted to be located on an undercarriage which is movable, at least one bearing support on said mounting base, a tilt axle member rotatable in said bearing support and having a portion with at least two spaced-apart bearing surfaces, a hot metal mixer tank having at least two position pins extending substantially radially outwardly from an end thereof and generally transversely to the longitudinal axis of said tank and engaged on said bearing surfaces, and means defining at least one back pressure bearing surface acting on said tank, all of said bearing surfaces and said back pressure bearing surfaces enclosing the longitudinally extending centerline of said tank, said tilt axle member portion including at least three substantially radially extending arms having surfaces forming said bearing surfaces, said mixing tank having at least three correspondingly oriented position pins extending substantially radially outwardly therefrom and engaged on corresponding ones of said arm bearing surfaces.
 8. A hot metal mixer tank support according to claim 7, wherein the bearing surfaces of said arm openings in a horizontal direction and a cover pivotally mounted on each of said arms and adapted to be pivotal to close over a position pin located on said bearing surfaces of said arm. 